Every year thousands of Scots become ill with the flu, but for pregnant women or those with an underlying health condition, the effects can hit with greater impact and last for longer.
It's easy to dismiss flu as just another bad cold, but there have been on average 500 deaths each winter which may be attributable to influenza and thousands more suffer severe complications.
With flu you can get chills, fever, nasal and sinus congestion, sore throat and extreme fatigue. The flu can knock you out for a week or more and if you're pregnant, over 65, or have an existing long-term health condition such as diabetes, asthma or other heart and lung conditions, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
But there's a quick and simple solution to protecting yourself and your loved ones from flu this winter. The seasonal flu vaccine is free and available from your GP or health centre.
The jab is offered to the following groups:
* Those under 65 with existing long-term medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, MS and other heart, lung and liver diseases).
* Pregnant women.
* Those aged 65 and over.
* NHS healthcare staff.
* Unpaid carers.
An estimated 14,352 people aged under 65 in the NHS Highland area who are entitled to get the flu jab didn't take up the offer last year. Local health professionals are urging people in at-risk groups to come forward and receive their annual flu jab.
Dr Ken Oates, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Highland, said: "Flu strikes suddenly and can take immediate and severe effect. If you are in an at-risk group, the impact can be more serious, with symptoms hitting harder and lasting longer. In severe cases you could end up in hospital.
"I urge anyone in one of the at-risk groups to make an appointment with their GP to get the free vaccination. It only takes a few minutes to be vaccinated but will give you protection against the flu for around a year. Don't make the mistake that you think you're immune, nobody is and the potential consequences mean it's not worth the risk."
You may have received the flu vaccine last year but it's important that you still get the jab again this year. Annual re-vaccination will guard against any risk of your immunity reducing.
The jab is quick, easy and safe. Once you've received the vaccination, it will take around 10 days to work and will protect you from flu for about a year. It doesn't contain live viruses, so it can't give you the flu. However, the vaccine works by helping your body to identify and fight the virus, so if you do feel achy for a day or so after getting the jab, this can be a good sign that the vaccination is working and that your immune system is responding.
There are many myths surrounding seasonal flu. Many people think they're healthy and don't need the jab, or they may wrongly believe the vaccine can give them flu, whilst others don't realise they are eligible for the vaccine. But if you have a weak immune system and don't receive the flu jab, you could be putting your health at risk.
Getting the vaccination could save you weeks of misery with the flu, so contact your GP as early as possible to arrange your free jab.
For more information on the seasonal flu campaign, visit www.immunisationscotland.org.uk. If you are unsure if you are eligible for the jab, contact NHS Inform on 0800 224488.
